Talk Like A Pirate Day

Every day of the year is something special.

Yep pholks, we've been told that for all our lives. With lots and lots of them behind me, I can attest that it's true. It's really true that each day is special. I'm very thankful for each day I've had and I hope to have quite a few more. Sure, I admit there have been some days I would rather forget but they were special nevertheless.

The point of this discussion, however is that Saturday, Sept. 19 is a special day. It is officially designated on whatever list there is of national or international days as “Talk Like A Pirate Day.” No foolin' pholks, it really is. I know, I know, I know, there is always some screwy day, like National Dill Pickle Day, National Honor Your Mail Carrier Day, National Ingrown Toenail Day, International Scrap Iron Day, etc. etc., etc. Probably there is a National Etc. Etc. Etc. Day. I would not be surprised.

But “Talk Like A Pirate Day” caught my attention for two reasons, both of which I lay on the buccaneer shoulders of Tulare County Librarian Brian Lewis. Take your complaints to him, if you must.

A couple weeks ago, Lewis was making a presentation to the Board of Supervisors and giving them some good news about federal funding allowing for some much needed upgrading to several libraries. Lewis' announcement followed that of another county official who gave the same eight-to-ten minute presentation three times to satisfy legal requirements, something which Supervisors and others had to endure.

Lewis said he could make his presentation “talking like a pirate,” but added he was saying up for Sept. 19th, which is officially “Talk Like A Pirate Day” when his family would get more than enough of his swashbuckling jive.

A week later, I checked the internet and sure enough there it was. The more I read, the better it got.

Later I found out that Sept. 19th is Brian Lewis' birthday and he has a pirate-talking legacy of sorts including a voice mail recording he made a number of years ago which generated a lot of interest. Later, his daughter came across the “Talk Like A Pirate Day” Web site so his pirate-talking talents became even more polished.
But my research, such as it was, became even more intriguing when I learned about the origin of this whole silly thing.

Briefly, here is how it started.

Two buddies, John Baur and Mark Summers were playing racquetball in the Pacific Northwest when one of them yelled out an “Arrr” while reaching for a low shot.

According to their Web site, one thing led to another with phrases like “That be a fine cannonade,” followed by “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm,” and so on and on and on it went. And pholks, you know how some guys are when they get something started and won't let it drop.

One thing led to another, as so often is the case with us guys, and soon they came up with the suggestion that the world might really need a new national holiday, so why not “Talk Like a Pirate Day”?

June 6, the day on the racquetball court, was suggested but soon rejected since that is D-Day, the day the allies landed at Normandy.

John suggested Sept. 19, his ex-wife's birthday and, according to him, the only date he could think of that wasn't taken up with something like Christmas or the Super Bowl or whatever else was important.

Someone suggested that Dave Barry, the famed syndicated humor columnist, would be an ideal person to be a national or maybe even international spokesman for that special day. Good idea, they agreed, but noting happened for a few years.

Then in early 2002, John came across Dave Barry's e-mail address. They sent him their idea and offered to make him the national spokesman. He actually responded saying it was an excellent idea but asked what they had done or if they simply wanted him to carry the ball for them.

In response, they e-mailed Barry: “Well, we've talked like pirates every Sept. 19 and we've encouraged our several friends to. Were are dingy-sized-talk-like-a-pirate-kinda guys, but you, Dave...you are like a frigate-huge-sized-talk-like-a-pirate kinda guy.” The e-mail apparently was clever enough to grab Barry's attention.
Sometime later, John got a call from the feature editor of his local newspaper who was editing the Barry column which was all about John and Mark and the whole uncovered treasure chest of ideas which have gained international attention.

Dave Barry had boarded the pirate talking ship and launched an all-sails-up adventure. What had been a hidden treasure was uncovered. Of course T-shirts, mugs, posters and you-name-it are available worldwide on the internet. The founders are enjoying extra loot and continue to have a great time.

But they haven't given up their day jobs.

Mark works in education as a behavior specialist with students. He told me that just recently his tattoo helped him break through with a student. I didn't ask about the tattoos. John writes for an internet service but has moved several thousand miles to the east. When John's wife was offered a teaching job in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, it was only natural she take the job. Her husband continues his real vocation there but more important, at least for his hobby, he now can truthfully call himself, are you ready pholks, “a true Pirate of the Caribbean.”

Notice pholks, I did not resort to using any cute pirate lingo, but it wasn't easy, mate.

And if you see Brian Lewis you can wish him a happy birthday. How you do it is up to you.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com